Tea ceremonies and dance performances attracted large audiences at Ohio’s Chinese Festival. (Carolyn Zhang’20/Staff)
In the Chinese lunar calendar, Tuesday, February 5, marks the start of a new year: the Year of the Boar. An estimated one billion people around the world will celebrate the 15-day holiday. On Saturday, February 3, Ohio’s Chinese communities got a head start on the festivities.
On February 2, performers from Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati gathered at Westerville Central High School for the general public to display traditional Chinese acts, ranging from dancing to martial arts. Despite below zero temperatures and heavy snowfall, the event turnout was strong as most of the auditorium seats remained filled throughout the day.
Between acts, emcees taught audience members Chinese expressions that were appropriate for the occasion such as 新年快乐 (Happy New Year) and handed out red envelopes symbolizing good luck and blessings to children.
Outside of the main auditorium, visitors could browse through a variety of informational booths and sample authentic Chinese delicacies, including dumplings and bubble tea.
Live demonstrations of Chinese paper cutting, calligraphy, and tea ceremonies were especially popular attractions, as spectators could participate and learn hands-on.
The 2019 Ohio Chinese Festival was a wonderful opportunity to appreciate local talent and the richness of Chinese culture.
Due to the social nature of boars, it is expected that the Year of the Boar will be one of understanding others. If you’re interested in learning more about your individual zodiac fortune, look into the website:
https://www.msn.com/en-sg/lifestyle/zodiac-signs/2019-the-year-of-the-pig/ss-BBQ8xUg?li=BBr8YXK#image=
